Online Galleries
The web seems to be where it's at, and art is getting in on the act. Online galleries enable you to view and buy art without ever having to leave the comfort of your living room, bedroom or indeed bathroom. A strange concept for some, who may argue that you need to see a piece ‘in the flesh’ to get its true meaning. But the ever increasing popularity of such sites means we shouldn’t dismiss their advantages.
The sheer volume of what’s available allows for greater choice and so a better chance of finding that perfect piece.
To view the same amount in the real world would require traipsing round countless galleries, not to mention the strain on your bank balance. Glancing at a couple of pieces on one site and moving to another is somewhat easier if you don’t then have to hop over to the next town, or hoof it on the tube.
And the ease with which you can locate said art cannot be matched in reality, which has yet to come equipped with search tools (if only.)
Another big plus is that the cost of running a website pales in comparison to running a gallery, a saving which most promise to pass on to the client.
Finally, online shopping fits into our fast-paced modern society in a way that a physical gallery can’t. We can get our arty fix when we’ve finished preparing for tomorrow’s meeting, when the kids are running amuck in the garden (and not in a gallery) or perhaps just when it’s 3am and we can’t sleep.
We’ve picked five of the best online galleries to get you started:
Name: easy art
Website address: www.easyart.com
Started: 1999
Exhibiting: One of the most established online galleries with over 100,000 art prints and posters as well as canvasses and photography
Price range: £5.95-£1000
Delivery details: For standard prints of canvases Standard delivery at £3.95 should ensure they arrive in 1-3 days and £6.90 promises next day delivery. Framed prints or stretched canvases have a standard delivery rate at £7.95
Name: Hang up pictures
Website address: www.hanguppictures.com
Started: June 2008
Exhibiting: Comtemporary, graffiti and street art
, prints and originals from emerging and established names including Adam Neate and Banksy.
Price range: £30-£20,000
Delivery details: Items worth more than £1,000 are sent by UPS, the rest by Royal Mail. Within the UK they should arrive in 10-15 days within the UK, for the rest of Europe, 20 days and for the rest of the world, 28 days.
Name: Opus Art
Website address: www.opus-art.com
Started:
2005
Exhibiting: Contemporary originals, prints and photography by some of the best and brightest in the business, including Anthony Gormley, Marc Quinn and Will Tuck, as well as tomorrow's stars. Opus is also a 'real' gallery in Newcastle.
Price range: £10-£25,000
Delivery: Clients should allow up to 28 days for delivery, although the majority of shipping times will be less than 7 days.
Name: Art Gallery
Website address: www.artgallery.co.uk
Started: 2004
Exhibiting: They work with over 650 artists to provide original painting, drawings, sculpture, prints and photography. Great for discovering a hidden gem and new talent.
Price range: £50-£2,000
Delivery details: Prices vary between roughly £3 and £60 depending on the piece and whether Royal Mail or a private courier is used. Delivery is normally expected within 5 days.
Name: Arty prints
Website address: www.artyprints.co.uk
Started: 2008
Exhibiting: Choose from 50,000 different prints from contemporary artists and photographers
, some limited editions. Search by colour, category ( everything from African to Vintage ) and even transform your own photos into 'art.'
Price range: £5-£500
Delivery details: Should be within 14 days upon receipt of an order. The site offers online order tracking and while it delivers to a wide range of countries, it cannot guarantee delivery to all. Standard UK delivery charge is between £0 and £14.10
